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KNICKS to bring back Kurt Thomas

New York Knicks plan to make effort at reacquiring veteran Kurt Thomas, the NBA's oldest player

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] is the NBA's oldest player and he might just hold the title of slowest and most vertically challenged, too.

Yet, he's precisely what the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] need.

According to a team source, the Knicks intend to make a run at reacquiring Thomas this summer, or whenever the expected NBA lockout ends. The veteran power forward is a free agent who spent last season with the [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and has made it clear that he wants to play at least one more season.

Thomas will likely decide between the Knicks and Bulls, although he remains hopeful that his hometown [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] will reach out to him as well.

Thomas attended all three [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] games in Dallas.

"I'm working out and staying in shape," Thomas, a Knick from 1999-2005, said over the telephone. "I definitely want to play again."

Thomas, who will turn 39 in October, has replaced the recently retired [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] as the NBA's oldest player. However, unlike Shaq, Thomas has proven that he can stay healthy and be productive.

Thomas appeared in 52 games and made 32 starts last season for a Bulls team that won a league-high 62 games. He was signed as insurance for [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and ended up being a vital player for Chicago when the Bulls' starting center and starting power forward, respectively, both missed significant time due to injury.

The 6-9 Thomas appeals to the Knicks because he gives them an experienced low-post defender off the bench. Plus, he's still a good pick-and-pop shooter with decent range. The Knicks also believe Thomas' voice and presence will help their locker room and that he can be a good influence on rookies [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ], who coached Thomas in [Only registered and activated users can see links. ], tried to recruit Thomas to the Knicks two years ago. Thomas left the Knicks organization on good terms despite having a celebrated falling-out with [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] that culminated with the two nearly fighting in the locker room after a game.

Thomas and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] are the two remaining active players from the Knicks' 1999 conference title team.

"Everyone knows how I feel about the Knicks," said Thomas, who averaged 4.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game last season. "I have a lot of friends there. We'll see what happens. It's too early to say right now, especially since there might be a lockout. But I'm keeping myself ready because I want to keep playing."

Kurt is definitely a piece of the puzzle. Not the only answer, but part of the equation.

Kwame Brown, Joel Pryzbilla, Aaron Gray, Nazr Muhammed and the likes of a C on this tier will be another priority.

I think we should be able to lure one of these guys... I mean, Gray played at PIT, is young, and may feel the lure of the bright lights and the big city; Nazr has been here before; and both Brown & Pryzbilla have made enough money where it is possible to conceive that they might take less money to come join the Knicks, and our dynamic duo, for a chance to win.

A group of R-Turiaf, K-Thomas along with a starter like Brown-Pryzbilla, backed up by a Jerome Jordan or Josh Harrellson... Now that is enough beef to help Amar'e next season.

Good move to go ahead and grab i believe the best player from the 90's knicks. Always been very reliable and gritty. I would say a guy that floats around in old age to winning teams is a good sign that he still brings many intangibles to the table.